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More than 400 varieties of apples were on show at the National Botanic Garden of Wales as the popular Apple Weekend event proved it has real appeal.

With experts on hand to advise about choosing, training and pruning your apple trees; cider tasting; and a special apple-themed menu in the restaurant; the event continues to draw the crowds.

Head of operations Ray Butt said: "We have had a great weekend. The weather has been kind to us this year, the crowds have flocked to the garden and everyone's favourite fruit hasn't let us down.

"People will have enjoyed seeing varieties of apples they haven't clapped eyes on for years. They will also have seen some varieties they've never heard of before.

"Our Apple Weekend is a perfect fit for the garden. It gives everyone a chance to enjoy the real fruits of biodiversity and provides the garden with an opportunity to communicate its guiding principles of conservation, sustainability and education."

The popular examination tables' were groaning under the weight of apples brought in by members of the public keen to identify varieties they had growing in their gardens. Mr Butt said: "It is the centrepiece of the weekend and always very popular. It is fascinating to watch our experts at work as they try to identify a very wide range of apples. Everybody went away very happy with what they were told."

A total of 1,244 people were in the garden for the weekend event - a figure that was 50% up on last year.

3:46pm Monday 3rd December 2007

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